Monday, September 25, 2017

"When it comes to living legends in the Texas and Latin Music pantheon, few have been at it longer and are more revered by their fans and peers than soul vocalist and Mexican-American songwriter and bandleader Sunny Ozuna. Born and raised in San Antonio, where he still resides, Sunny became a star right out of high school in the late ‘50s and hasn’t looked back in the six decades since.

Among countless other honors and notable achievements, Sunny was the first Latino artist to appear on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” (in 1963). Songs like “Put Me In Jail,” “Talk To Me,” “Should I Take You Home,” “My Dream” and “Smile Now, Cry Later” still bring crowds to their feet throughout the Southwest and California and around the world at “oldies” and “lowrider soul” events. And after releasing dozens of albums since the mid-1960s (in Spanish and English), Sunny still keeps a busy schedule and loves performing as much as he did as a teenager. His classic 45s regularly change hands for hundreds of dollars among collectors around the world, affirming his timeless appeal.

This new compilation on Brooklyn’s acclaimed Big Crown label – home to Lee Fields, Lady Wray, The El Michels Affair and many more – is a lovingly curated selection of songs from the years 1966 to 1972. All compositions were originally released on Sunny’s Key-Loc label, formed after his national star had been established, so he could have control of his own musical destiny.

“For me the reason why Sunny is important is very simple,” says Big Crown’s Danny Akalepse. “He contributed all this great music to the world, but that is just scratching the surface. He’s a huge part of the Tejano music scene and one of its creators. And he started his own label in the ‘60s, they did everything inhouse. As an indie label ourselves, this hits home for us for obvious reasons.”

As Akalepse explains about the Ozuna-approved tracklist, “We chose our own Sunny favorites and laid everything out so the LP would be a great listen, first and foremost. There are several cuts on here that I have played out and loved – as a DJ and record fanatic – for many, many years. ‘Mr. Brown Eyed Soul’ is not necessarily a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation, although it obviously has a bunch of them on here. In the end, this is our take on the crème-de-la-creme of Sunny’s English language soul tunes.”

With Sunny hits – a mix of originals and some great covers thrown in – ranging from ballads like “My Dream,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and “Outside Looking In”; to mid-tempo soul groovers “Should I Take You Home,” “Put Me In Jail” and “The One Who’s Hurting Is You”; and the ultra funky “Get Down”; Mr. Brown Eyed Soul is an excellent celebration of Ozuna’s amazing body of work, and a perfect introduction to Sunny for newcomers.

Lovingly chosen by the owners of Big Crown and in full collaboration and cooperation with Ozuna himself, the CD and LP packaging includes liner notes by Texas Music scholar and archivist Ramon Hernandez, and features dozens of rare photos provided by Sunny himself."

Sunday, September 24, 2017

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles Bradley.

Charles was truly grateful for all the love he’s received from his fans and we hope his message of love is remembered and carried on. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Bradley made two visits to NZ, I was lucky enough to catch him on the 2nd one, at The Powerstation. He was a wonderful performer, soulful, earthy, and so happy to be on stage, singing for the people.

From Rolling Stone: "Bradley notably began his career as a James Brown impersonator in 1967
and would perform periodically over the next several decades while he
drifted across the United States, battling illiteracy, poverty and
chronic unemployment.

His luck turned, however, after Daptone Records
co-founder Gabriel Roth saw his James Brown act and linked him with Tom
Brenneck, who would go on to produce Bradley's three albums. After
recording numerous singles during the 2000s, Bradley released his debut
album, No Time For Dreaming, in 2011 at the age of 62."

Bradley was diagnosed with stomach cancer in October 2016 and he took a break from performing. He successfully completed treatment and returned to live shows, promoting his third album Changes that came out that year. At the start of this month news broke that Bradley's cancer had spread to his liver and he stopped touring to get further treatment.

Daptone says Bradley passed away on Saturday in
Brooklyn, "surrounded by family and friends including members of the
bands he worked closely with: Menahan Street Band, His Extraordinaires,
Budos Band and the Jimmy Hill Allstarz."

from NYT: '... Concerts often ended with Mr. Bradley in the crowd, embracing people one by one, with the singer near tears.

“I
think he wanted to hug each person on this planet individually,” Gabe
Roth of Daptone said. “I mean that literally, and anyone that ever saw
him knows that he honestly tried.”

Sunday, September 17, 2017

The New Zealand Hip Hop Summit is back and will be held at the Toia Recreation Centre & Ōtāhuhu Pātaka Kōrero Library in South Auckland on the 25th November 2017.

"This will be our 3rd event since 2012! Another fantastic opportunity to come along with your whanau and experience a dazzling day with live music, colourful aerosol art, live breaking and Deejay scratch jams, song writing and beat making workshops and showcase of Aoteraoa's best of the best in Beatboxing, Emceeing, Deejaying, Breaking and Popping, ending the day with our very own Hip Hop awards.

"Our aim is to bring communities together to celebrate NZ Hip Hop success with the focus on engaging with our young people in a positive fashion and developing their skills and talents thru the 9 elements of Hip Hop culture. Our Kaupapa is peace, love and unity and safely having fun. It will be a day the whole family enjoy and remember" - Queen Shirl'e.

"Nicole Willis, known for her collaborations with The Soul Investigators & Jimi Tenor, presents "My Name Is Nicole Willis", an album that includes some of the tracks she composed with the former as well as originals composed specifically for a fresh collaboration with UMO
Jazz Orchestra.

Multi-faceted artist and musician Jimi Tenor has penned all arrangements for the big band and their talented rhythm section. Pete Toikkanen who is a mega-talented guitarist from The Soul Investigators, along with both Jimi and Ms Willis, composed those original tracks that highlight their alternative influences.

Indie god & personal hero of Ms Willis, Ian Svenonius introduces her on the first track and wraps up the LP on the closer. Ms Willis delves into her Northern Soul anthems with "One In A Million", "Together We Climb" and "Break Free (Shake A Tailfeather)" and with the never released "(Everybody) Do The Watusi".

For their part UMO Jazz Orchestra add extra horn dynamic and Tenor's arrangements shine throughout, as they have on The Soul Investigators' records. Pete Toikkanen, whose unique style has been a defining asset of the group, gives the UMO Jazz Orchestra a rawness in treatment that they have never quite exhibited before. The mixes flatter all involved
and are full-bodied and rich."

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The Frightnrs dropped a glorious reggae/rocksteady album back in 2016, now here comes the version excursions...... looking forward to this one...

"It's rare for a debut album, especially one in such a polarizing genre
like Reggae, to garner the kind of universal fanfare The Frightnrs' 2016
long player Nothing More To Say received.

Mainly because it's a record
that transcends genre specific qualifiers and rhetoric that pigeonhole
many albums. It is in the truest sense of the phrase, a great record.

Shortly after its release a single for Dispute (a featured track) was
pressed, and like many classic reggae singles, it included
a Dub (version) on the B-Side courtesy of famed reggae producer Victor
"Ticklah" Axelrod. The single was a smash success which in return
inspired Axelrod to produce Dub versions for all the songs on Nothing
More To Say."

The result is More To Say Versions. Out October 30 on Daptone Records

Victor Axelrod has worked with the band for a while, you can cop their earliest recordings from 2012 on their Bandcamp page as Name your price downloads, like their single Never Answer, with a tasty dub from Mr Axelrod on the flip. Quality vibes.

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Dunedin band The Clean will be inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame as part of the APRA Silver Scroll Awards at the Dunedin Town Hall on September 28.

The Clean have rejected the Hall of Fame accolade twice
in the past five years.

Last month the band were in the news regarding the supposed snub of Salmonella Dub for induction into the NZ Music Hall of Fame, with The Clean's Robert Scott saying "I think when we were asked it just didn't feel
right for us. We
feel we are outside the industry, and in the past we were shunned and
dismissed and it seems like by saying yes we would be forgiving the
industry for that. Of course, with time they are proved wrong as our
music has stood the test of time. It's a strange thing dealing with
other people's perception of your music and what you stand for as a
band."

However, The Clean's David Kilgour explained the change of mind to the ODT this week: "I think
the last time we were offered to be inducted, we joked ‘only if you did
it in Dunedin’. So this time around ... it is in Dunedin."

Robert Scott tells Moses "I
guess the planets aligned and they got us on the right day. Also, with
Peter Gutteridge’s passing, it seemed like a good opportunity because
he’ll be inducted with us as well. So it’s recognition for him as well."

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Last year I picked up some great 45s from an Estonian outfit called Misha Panfilov Sound Combo, on the Funk Night label (outta Detriot). Fleamarket Funk described them as "...combining the best of deep funk, cinematic soundtracks, psychedelia
and more, they are quite honestly the funk you
have never heard of."

Friday, August 25, 2017

My mate Martyn Pepperell (writer /DJ/broadcaster/cool cat) got interviewed by K Rd venue Neck of the Woods last month for their blog, ahead of his DJ slot at their monthly night The Boog.

It's pretty amusing seeing Martyn being on the receiving end of questions, cos he's used to being the interviewer, not the interviewee. He said lotsa smart stuff, but I dug this solid advice on survival for aspiring creatives, in any field...

I know a lot of young creatives entering the freelance world today struggle with the budgets, deadlines, and competition. What advice would you give to them based on what you have learned over the last ten years?

MP: This whole thing definitely isn't easy, and the landscape looked very different ten years ago. I've had to evolve, adapt, diversify, and really stretch myself at times. Some years have been harder than others. This year has been okay, but I've also been sick three times this winter, which is pretty stressful when you're freelancing.

I suppose the main things I'd say is this: don't be afraid of having some kind of part-time job alongside doing freelance creative work, or even just doing it on the evenings and weekends while you have a day job. Having the title of being a freelancer isn't worth it if you're stressed out, broke, and behind.

That being said, if you absolutely have to do it, save up a chunk of money first, that way you'll have a buffer. Try to find ways to minimalise your living expenses as well, that's a key. In terms of the actual work, be professional, communicate clearly, meet your deadlines (or at least explain why you aren't going to be meeting them, and when you can hand your work in).

Also, stay open to feedback and critique, and don't be afraid of regularly pitching and presenting yourself to prospective clients. The work isn't going to turn up if you don't ask for it sometimes."

Thursday, August 24, 2017

"Just in time for his 800th episode of Stylin' on Melbourne's 3RRR-FM,
comes Ennio Styles' imaginatively titled new compilation, Stylin' 800.
This is the fourth chapter in the free download series that launched the
Heard and Felt label in 2011 with Stylin' 500.

... For the first time, this edition includes some brilliant 'Stylin'
Sessions', performances by Jordan Rakei, Oddisee, Olivier St Louis,
I'lls, Silentjay and Häzel, captured in the 3RRR studios and broadcast
live to air between 12-2pm on a Friday afternoon."

Give it a listen, name your price download. Some great new music in thre...